This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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B-24 Strawberry Bitch

Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:54 pm

I just saw some interior shots over at Hyperscale.
http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/b24d ... upkh_2.htm
I'm curious how close to original she is.

Thanks

Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:57 pm

She has been restored, but it was never demilled or anything. So it's equipment is intact. The ball turret is going back in once the team has a minute to catch it's breath.

Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:13 am

Wow, how cool would it be to just sit in there and take it all in?

Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:21 am

Why was the ball turret removed? I think this was discussed before but I have forgotten - used on Shoo Shoo Baby?

Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:36 pm

That is correct, but in a swap was installed into the B-17 in Dover. However according to resources at the museum, the turret is now back at WPAFB, and is going to be reinstalled into the aircraft. It is really a good way to show how the warbird restorations were then, and to waht standard they have evolved to now.

Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:46 pm

While the SB is original inside as far as equipment, the colors are less than accurate. During her initial restoration someone blasted the waist section with Zinc Chromate Yellow, and after the photos shown on Hyperscale were taken, the cockpit and nose were painted "Interior Green" (the photos show the original weathered Dull Dark Green.) The originally Neutral Gray bombay was also blasted with Interior Green, including all the original placards and equipment.

The pics were taken by Karl Haufe, and I scanned them for him. As Mustangdriver mentions, it shows the difference between how restorations were done "back in the day" compared to now.


SN

Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:45 pm

Yes, I was wondering about the interior colors. It is pretty "colorful". Would be nice to see it repainted inside as well, but I'm sure they have plenty to do, as Mustangdriver mentioned. It's cool that it has all the original equipment though. I think the Pima '24J still has it's original stuff as well, if I'm not mistaken.

Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:56 am

The Pima B-24 is pretty orginal and complete, although since she was operated for a long time the interior colors are pretty motley with lots of touch-ups. I photographed her pretty thoroughly a few years ago. You can get inside the bombay, but the crew areas are walled off with plexiglass. Unfortunately for photographers, they've put manequins in the crew positions, making it difficult to get clear pics of the interior. I'm not omplaining, though..she looks magnificent, and is indoors out of the weather.

SN
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